So here are my four tips for all the drivers out there.

#1.. DO NOT DRIVE IN THEIR BLIND SPOTS! do not tailgate behind them. If you cant see their mirrors they cant see you. If you cant see the driver in their side mirrors while you are driving by them, they cant see you!. Please don't drive in the NO ZONES.

#2.. DON'T SWITCH LANES IN FRONT OF THEM. You want to pass someone so you jump in the next lane and then have to slow down because maybe someone had the same idea, well that big rig that you cut in front of CANNOT stop like you can. Who will get the blame? Trust me it won't be none of the small cars. If you want to get in front of a big rig, first turn your turn signal on then make sure you can see their headlights in your side mirror. Over half the time the driver will flash his headlights to let you know you are safe to come over into the lane.

#3..IF YOU GOING TO PASS A TRUCK THEN PASS AND GO! This means don't pass the truck get back over and then slow down. Once again those trucks cant stop like you can! So Pass and GO! Sometimes my husband feels people do this just to be mean. Some big trucks are governed so they cannot just go as fast as others and if they have maintained their speed and someone cuts them off and they have to slow down it puts wear on the truck. Which result in bas MPG which returns means higher fuel costs which means higher prices in the stores.

#4.. WIDE LOADS NEED ROOM! ok so you are driving down a two lane road and there is a wide load. He is taking one and a half lanes. What do you do? PLEASE don't try to get by using that half a lane. It is not safe. Wait till the Driver eases off on the shoulder to allow you to pass.

If everyone keeps these tips in my mind, It will help me know that my loved one will be able to come home to me.

OUR DEAREST, JOHN ALAN POTTS

Alan, We love you and will miss you for the rest of our lives. Although I didn't spend a lot of time together with each other but Debs used to always keep me updated and at that time I didn't realize how close you were to me. Now that you are gone, I feel the same void I felt when my Mom left me 17 years ago. You had, have and always will be close to me. Debs and I will feel that emptiness for the rest of our lives. I know for sure you are are at a better place and you are in peace (I could see the peaceful smile on your face on 3rd).

Alan, see you there, buddy.

Will miss you, forever.

This morning as my kids loaded onto their school bus, someone in a vehicle waiting behind the bus honked. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SENSE ANYMORE? Don't people understand the concept of a BUS STOP? There were kids still trying to find a seat when the idiot honked. The bus hadn't been there long and there was only one other vehicle waiting besides the honker! People who honk at school buses are idiots! I know people are going to work, school, etc. but what makes you think you're time or destination is more important than the kids getting on a school bus safely? They are trying to go to school!! Whoever honked at the corner of Blackhawk Ridge and Heather bluff this morning at 7:10, I'm calling you out!! DON'T HONK AT A LOADING SCHOOL BUS! WAIT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE! THE KIDS SAFETY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING. NEXT THING YOU KNOW SOMEONE IS GOING TO GO AROUND THE BUS AND HIT A KID!

It seems that everyday we hear about someone being cut off in traffic, nearly in a wreck or sometimes in an accident due to people driving and talking on their cell phones. It has started gaining more attention and we have learned through the news that some areas are even restricting their use in school zones because of safety concerns.

Recently I started watching the new Fox News at 5. The stories are generally good and I like getting an early start on the news some days. What is really surprising me is the live traffic phone chats they decide to focus on at least once a day.  Lets face it, the people they are talking to are not pulling over and sometimes describe the speeds they are traveling at. Do we really need someone on the phone in rush-hour traffic telling us what the stations cameras are showing us?

I think it would be better to stick to the helicopters, pole mounted traffic cams and such and avoid having live conversations with someone that is driving in traffic. Can you imagine the field day it would be in court when the person who gets hit by someone talking on the phone telling a T.V. station what we can see gets hit?

I do not use a phone while driving and I am sure many other feel the same way. Pull over and take a few minutes if you feel it is an important call but please think about the safety of those around you and drive safe.

I hope you guys are not planning on taking I-10 east anywhere today or tomorrow.  Why?  Because everyone that used it as an evacuation route out of Louisiana is now back on it trying to get home.  If you are trying to get to Baytown use 225 to 146 and take the Fred Hartman bridge.  It might be a little out of your way but you will get there much quicker.  Good Luck!

I have some advice for all of you if Gustav does come our way.  Don't get caught out on the roadways!  Make sure you have a full tank of gas and then put the car in the garage and wait for this to all blow over.  If you decide that you would be better off at aunt Jane's house in Huntsville, then you may want to leave early.  And last but not least if you do stay and decide to drive after the storm passes, watch out for flooding.  Remember that you can't judge how deep the water is on a roadway by just looking at it.  I don't want to see any of you guys on the news this week pushing your car in waist high water to the nearset service station.

Keep checking the traffic tab on this website and look for even more information and live chat on myfoxhoustonlive.com.  We are here for you!

I was driving into work today and I noticed that the ramp from the Katy (I-10) Freeway to Beltway 8 is open! 

You may have already heard about this, but it was news to me.  I was so excited, I actually called my wife to tell her about it and she was excited about it too.  I know that sounds a little silly, but with more and more lanes opening up on the New I-10 construction...I'm almost looking forward to driving on it again!

Am I crazy, or are you actually excited to see these new lanes, ramps and exits open?

Do you know where the school zones are in your area?

The babies ( yes babies) are headed back to school today.  Please take the time to make yourself familar with the school zones as you travel....and slow it down!!

 

Just wanted to remind everyone to be EXTRA CAREFUL when driving through subdivisions and school zones now.  Children are back to school and the school buses are stopping to pick them up!  AND don't forget to slow down in those school zones LOL!!  I know that during the summer months we drive our normal 40-45mph-but when school starts, that speed limit goes down to 20mph!!! 

The left lane of any multi-lane highway is generally reserved for passing slower vehicles.

But all too often, you'd think THIS was the law of the land:

In my life in the left lane, I've noticed there are basically two kinds of drivers.

 

I've come to call them Keeper-Uppers and Non-Keeper-Uppers.

 

 

The Keeper-Uppers, of course, maintain their speed at a relatively fixed distance behind the car in front of them (hopefully, a safe distance).

 

The Non-Keeper-Uppers, on the other hand, drive to their own (slower) drummer, gradually falling behind the vehicles in front of them.

 

And so you often end up with a row of Keeper-Uppers in the left lane, all crowded behind a single Non-Keeper-Upper, who apparently never checks the rear-view mirror.

 

 

That's when the less patient Keeper-Uppers tend to peel out and pass on the right, if possible, and sometimes if nearly impossible.

 

To my way of thinking, this is where accidents wait to happen.

If we could just ask the Non-Keeper-Uppers to move out of the left lane, I think everyone would be happier and safer, too.

 

So... which kind of driver are YOU?

 

Ned